Can-opener.



No. 783,640. PATENTED FEB. 28, 1905. E. K. MYERS.

CAN OPENER.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 5. 1904.

Witnesse Inventor,

Attorneys Ihvrrnn fiiarns Patented February 28, 1905,

EDIVARI) KEEN MYERS, OF PRESTON, IOWA.

EAN"UWENEH.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 783,6i0, dated February28, 1905.

Application filed May 5, 1904. Serial No. 206,537.

To (ti-Z whom it 'I'II/II/I/ concern:

Be it known that I, EDWARD KEEN MYERS, a citizen of the United States,residing at Preston, in the county of Jackson and State of Iowa, haveinvented a new and useful Can-Opener, of which the following is aspecification.

This invention relates to a eanopener.

The object of the invention is to open a can or paint-pail withoutleaving jagged or torn edges around the cover. I accomplish this objectby means of a can-open er adapted to cut downward and make a roundsmooth edge instead of the jagged edge made by upwardlyeuttingcan-openers.

The device which I have invented is cheap, strong and durable inconstruction, thoroughly eiiicient in operation, and capable of beingquickly sharpened or of receiving a new cutting-bled e.

Furthermore, the handle is made with a novel thumb-piece, by means ofwhich it can be more easily held and greater pressure exerted in openinga can.

.In order that my invention may be more clearly understood, I willdescribe it in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings,forming a part of this specification, wherein Figure 1 is a perspectiveview of my improved can-opener grasped in the hand of the user. Fig. 2is a side view of the handle with the cutting-blade removed, and Fig. 3is a detail view of the cutting-blade.

The handle of my improved can-opener is designated by thereference-numeral 1. This handle preferably is made of any suitablemetal. Near the lower end of the handle a circular bearing-surface 2 isprovided to act as a th u nib-piece for receiving downward pres surefrom the thumb in opening a can. Upon one side of the handle, at itslower end, is formed a curved flange 3, the purpose of which is to guidethe can-opener around the outer edge of the can.

The handle 1 on the side opposite the flange 3 is recessed, as shown at4:, to receive the cutting-blade 5, which is approximately triangular inshape, the cutting edge 6 being curved outward in the mannerillustrated. The cuttingblade 5 is fastened in the cutaway portion I ofthe handle by means of screws 7, which permit it to be readily detachedfrom the handle for sharpening or renewal. It will be observed that a oircular bearing-surface 8 is formed on the lower portion of the handlebetween the flange 3 and the blade 5. This bearing-surface 8 contactswith the upper edge of the can being opened and serves to limit thedownward movement of the opener.

In using my improved can-opener the handle is grasped in the fingers ofthe user, as shown, the thumb resting upon the thumbpiece. The lowerpointed end of the blade is forced through the top of the can adjacentto the edge thereof. Then by rocking the device forward, at the sametime maintaining the downward pressure upon the handle and thumb-piece,the can-top will be quickly severed from the can without leaving ajagged torn edge, as is usual with can-openers which cut upward. On thecontrary, the edge of a can which has been opened with my devicepresents a rounded, neat, and smooth appearance.

What I claim is A can-opener comprising a handle having a head providedon its upper side with a trans versely-disposed thumb-rest and on itsunder side with a curved flange and with a curved bearing-surface havinga lateral recess, and a cutting-blade detachably secured in the recessand having a curved cutting edge terminating in a sharp point disposedtoward. the rear of the handle of the opener.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing my own I have hereto afiixed mysignature in the presence of two witnesses.

EDIVARI) KEEN MYERS.

Witnesses:

A. O. SKINNER, I E. Mansn.

